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Moonstruck Chocolate Cafe

Feb 20 by Anita 1 Comment

While driving through Walnut Creek’s posh downtown (where you can see a Pottery Barn next to a Williams-Sonoma next to Restoration Hardware, with a Tiffany’s across the street) this weekend, I stumbled upon a Moonstruck Chocolate Cafe, another addition to the growing number of chocolate-focused stores in the Bay Area.

Moonstruck Chocolates is a chocolatier based in Portland, Oregon, and have expanded their business online and to their "Chocolate Cafes".  The cafe I entered resembled a Starbucks in design and presentation, from the sleek polished wood floors covered with rugs and lounge chairs to the fancy drink-making apparatus behind the counter, to the side wall covered with various gift items to peruse. But Starbucks doesn’t have the sparkling display cases filled with truffles and chocolates, or a drink menu with selections that range from mocha lattes to milkshakes to hot chocolate.

Moonstruck does have an impressive range of chocolates – even if the flavors aren’t cutting edge the chocolates look very sharp and well made.  I had the Ocumarion, a little nugget of dark chocolate from the Ocumare Valley in Venezuela with chili pepper inside.  The shell was a little thick but the filling rich and smooth, with the chili kicking in well at the end.  Actually quite a spicy chocolate.

I also had the Mayan, a drink made with chocolate, cinnamon, and almond syrup. Although potentially tooth-achingly sweet, the chocolate was dark and rich enough that the cinnamon and almond worked as pleasant top notes – an altogether satisfying and hot drink to hold onto as strolled outside on a very nippy Saturday.

We also couldn’t resist picking up a little chocolate lab – he’s still sitting on the kitchen table, too cute to be eaten!

Img_4755

Moonstruck Chocolate Cafe

1273 Locust Street

Walnut Creek, CA 94596

Filed Under: Sweet Spots

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Comments

  1. 1

    Dexter says

    Jun 4 at 8:27 pm

    I work at this cafe, and I’m so glad you have written about us! Yes, our drink bases quite more chocolatey than sugary..good to see that you’ve tasted it! It’ll be a pleasure to have you as our guest again!
    – Dexter, Shift Leader

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Anita Chu, also known as pastrygirl, is a baker, writer, and photographer with a passion for pastry. She trained at Tante Marie's Cooking School and is the author of Field Guide to Cookies, Field Guide to Candy, and Lollipop Love. Anita lives in San Francisco with her husband, baby girl, and rescue cockapoo Snickerdoodle. More about pastrygirl

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